How Your Next Flight Could Change Your Life

Chance encounters are great ways to meet interesting people you might not ever connect with otherwise. And nowhere are chance encounters more cliché than on airplanes. You know the feeling: sitting on an airplane wondering if your neighbor will be nice, interesting—maybe even someone who will change your life.

As James Patten, CEO of Patten Studio and the winner of the first flight, explains: “It’s very rare to get a chance to sit down with someone in that sort of position and talk about whatever you want. Had we met in another context, we probably would have at, at most, a five minute conversation.” Patten got to sit next to Pebble Technology CEO Eric Migicovsky on his flight to Vancouver for the TED conference, where the two talked at length about their shared love for interactive technology.

It’s super easy to apply—just connect your LinkedIn profile on the Innovation Class website to be considered for the next flight. You can even nominate mentors you’d like to get the chance to sit next to.

No more opportunities gone to waste, and no more missed connections. By putting you on a flight with an inspirational business leader, Delta is helping your career soar.

Before joining The Muse, Sarah worked in social business innovation for Virgin Unite in London, strategy and innovation at Market Gravity, sustainability research in the Dominican Republic, and business development for a NYC startup. Wrapping up her time at Columbia University, she’s headed to McKinsey & Company after graduation. Say hi on Twitter @sarahlichang.

Meet The Author

Before joining The Muse, Sarah worked in social business innovation for Virgin Unite in London, strategy and innovation at Market Gravity, sustainability research in the Dominican Republic, and business development for a NYC startup. Wrapping up her time at Columbia University, she’s headed to McKinsey & Company after graduation. Say hi on Twitter @sarahlichang.